The national France judo tour will stop at Espalion on Tuesday January 20 and Wednesday January 21. International champions, school actions and a major sporting event open to the public are on the program.
For the third time, the town of Espalion will host the champions’ route. This national operation, supported by France judo, aims to introduce judo and transmit its sporting and civic values to as many people as possible.
A presentation meeting was held on Monday at Espalion town hall. Present were Éric Picard, mayor of Espalion, Patrick Bouzat, president of the departmental judo committee, Patricia Noël, president of the local Crédit Agricole fund, financial partner of judo, as well as Roland Girbal and Dominique Boémo, members of the Espalionnais Judo club. The progress of the two days was presented there.
Internationally renowned champions
Four internationally renowned champions will be present in Espalion: Catherine Arnaud, double world champion in 1987 and 1989, Estelle Gaspard, six-time combat ju-jitsu world champion, Margaux Pinot, Olympic champion in 2021 and 2024 world champion, as well as Raphaël Ourednik, 2021 deaf and hard of hearing world champion.
The champions’ itinerary is aimed at all audiences, from schoolchildren to graduates, including people more distant from sports practice.
A day dedicated to schools
Tuesday, January 20, will be dedicated to students from schools in the community of municipalities. Nearly 800 schoolchildren will participate in the workshops offered in the morning and afternoon in the presence of the champions. Supervision will be provided by members of the Espalionnais Judo Club, with the support of two Aveyron students in BPJeps training in Toulouse: Nathan Géraud, licensed at the Bassin d’Aveyron club, and Endy Lopez, from the Millau judo club. Around ten Staps students from the Rodez site, supervised by Mathieu Malié, will complete the supervision.
Rehabilitation center and major sporting event
Wednesday January 21, an intervention will take place in the morning at the Espalion rehabilitation center. The champions will work with residents and nursing staff on the prevention of falls and the right actions to adopt. The afternoon will continue at the intercommunal sports complex with a large gathering bringing together around 500 judokas from clubs in the department and the Occitanie region. This session is open to the public and free. Demonstrations, discussions with the champions and signing sessions will be offered on nearly 800 m² of tatami mats.
Roland Girbal thanked Crédit Agricole for its financial support, the mayors of com’com for covering the students’ transport costs, as well as the departmental judo committee, leader of the project. Around forty volunteers will be mobilized over the two days. An appeal is also made to parents to contribute to the success of this event.
